What Remains of Our Autonomy? St. Xavier’s Asks Gujarat HC in GCAS Row
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad, on Wednesday questioned the Gujarat government's decision to make admissions mandatory through the Gujarat Common Admission Services (GCAS) portal, telling the Gujarat High Court, "If we no longer have the right to conduct our own admission process, what remains of our autonomy?"
The college argued that, as a minority and autonomous educational institution, it has a constitutional right under Article 30 to administer its own admission process. It contended that making the GCAS portal the only mode of admission infringes upon its autonomy and minority rights.
The matter has now been posted for hearing next week.
Constitutional rights at the centre of the dispute
The legal battle between St. Xavier's College and the Gujarat government revolves around the state's decision to mandate that all colleges admit students exclusively through the GCAS portal for the 2026-27 academic year.
While the government directed institutions to use the common online admission system, St. Xavier's launched its own admission process, citing the constitutional protections available to minority institutions. The college invited students to apply directly through its website, resulting in the dispute reaching the Gujarat High Court.
On June 11, the High Court marked the matter as "Not Before Me," delaying substantive proceedings. The next hearing is scheduled for next week.
Students caught in uncertainty
With the case still pending, thousands of students remain uncertain about their admissions.
Applicants who chose St. Xavier's on GCAS are still waiting for clarity. On June 9, the college informed students that it would not publish the merit list until the court proceedings progressed. As a result, document verification, fee payment, seat allotment, and admission confirmation have all been put on hold.
Students who prioritised St. Xavier's were unable to opt for other colleges through GCAS. If the court ultimately rules against the college, they risk losing valuable time in the admission cycle, while seats in other institutions may already be filled.
